Trees and shrubs as invasive alien species – a global review

Abstract Aim Woody plants were not widely considered to be important invasive alien species until fairly recently. Thousands of species of trees and shrubs have, however, been moved around the world. Many species have spread from planting sites, and some are now among the most widespread and damaging of invasive organisms. This article presents a global list of invasive alien trees and shrubs. It discusses taxonomic biases, geographical patterns, modes of dispersal, reasons for introductions and key issues regarding invasions of non‐native woody plants around the world. Location Global. Methods An exhaustive survey was made of regional and national databases and the literature. Correspondence with botanists…

• H
  Hans-Sigrist-Stiftung
• DO
  Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, India
• US
  Universiteit Stellenbosch
• EO
  Ernest Oppenheimer Memorial Trust
• DC
  DST-NRF Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology
• DO
  Division of Materials Research